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He gently put a hand on Flora’s back and she stepped forwards and read the inscription on the cross. ‘Hello, Mavis. I’m Flora. I’m your husband’s friend.’
Victor chuckled loudly. ‘Don’t worry, Mavis, I’m not chasing other women. This is Flora and she’s been like a granddaughter to me. She’s an absolute gem.’
Flora glanced at him and smiled. ‘That’s so kind of you, Victor.’
‘I’m speaking the truth, lovely girl.’
He placed the flowers in the pot in front of the cross then put one of the takeaway cups next to it. ‘Brought you a coffee, my love. Thought you could do with one.’
Flora touched his arm. ‘Shall I give you some time?’
‘That’d be grand, Flora. Take a look around. It might be a cemetery but it’s beautiful here. So peaceful you could hear a pin drop.’
‘See you in a bit. Goodbye, Mavis. Speak again soon.’
Flora patted Victor’s arm then she wandered away along the path that led right around the church. She turned back to check on Victor and saw him standing near the cross, one hand placed on it as if he was making contact with his wife.
‘Don’t worry, Mavis,’ she said softly. ‘We’re looking after him for you.’
And as she walked away, she could have sworn she heard a voice whisper, I know…
Chapter 16
Leif
Leif placed the parcels of fish and chips on the island in Victor’s kitchen while Flora got the plates from the oven where they’d been warming.
‘Food smells delicious,’ she said. ‘My mouth’s already watering.’
‘Nothing like fish and chips for supper, right?’ Leif started unwrapping the paper from around the food. ‘How was your day?’ he asked.
‘I went to the cemetery with Victor and it was quite moving. He talked some more about Mavis and then I left him with her for a bit because, well, I thought he might have things he wanted to say to her.’
‘Did he seem OK?’ Leif started placing the pieces of fish on the three plates. The batter was crisp and golden and looked like it would melt in their mouths.
‘I think so. I mean, it’s not easy for him and never will be but…’ She pressed her lips together and Leif saw that she had tears in her eyes.
‘Hey,’ he said, going to her side and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. ‘What is it?’
‘Just seeing how much he m-misses her and how m-much he loves her still. It’s… l-lovely.’ She sniffed.
Leif rubbed her arm and kissed her hair.
Then he froze.
Oops!What had he just done?
Flora peered up at him, her dark eyes wide.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that, it just kind of happened. I was trying to comfort you and I-I…’ He fell silent because there was something in her eyes that told him it was OK. She didn’t mind at all. And then, suddenly, she was in his arms and they were kissing. Kissing like they’d never kissed before. He pulled her body against his and kissed her hard, explored her mouth with his tongue, ran his hands up and down her back and she moaned, as filled with desire as he was…
‘Ahem.’
The sound broke them apart and they stood there, in the middle of Victor’s kitchen, panting heavily, their faces red and their hearts racing.
‘I’m very sorry to interrupt,’ Victor said, a big smile on his face, ‘But I wondered if I should open some wine to go with dinner. I think though, seeing what I just have, that it would probably be a good idea.’ He went to the fridge and got out a bottle, grabbed the corkscrew then walked to the doorway. ‘I’ll be in the lounge so if you two could bring the glasses through when you’re… uhhh… finished that would be brilliant.’ He chuckled as he walked away and Leif blinked rapidly. What had just happened?
He raised his eyes to meet Flora’s and she was worrying her full bottom lip. The lip he’d just tasted and enjoyed. Damn, she was gorgeous and he wanted her badly.
